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Giancarlo Stanton, Logan Morrison, Greg Dobbs all expect to be ready for Marlins opening day

Giancarlo Stanton, Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs all will play in the field today in a minor league game – Stanton and Morrison seven innings, Dobbs five – and all three expect to be ready for the April 4 season opener against the Cardinals.
Stanton (knee) expects to play Friday, possibly in Viera against the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg, and then Sunday in the new stadium in the first of two exhibitions against the Yankees.

“That’s the plan,” Stanton said about being in the lineup opening day. “That’s what we’ve been working for. We’re on the right path right now.”

Morrison (knee) said he’s feeling a little stiff and achy but the swelling is down. “That’s always in your mind when you have surgery,” he said.

As for opening day.

“If I’m there it will be pretty awesome to be in the starting lineup,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been striving for. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t playing a big factor into it.”

Dobbs (hamstring) said his plan is “absolutely” to be on the bench for opening day.

“That’s been the plan from Day 1,” he said. “Thank God there has been nothing that’s deterred from that.”

LoMo says let home run sculpture do the talking

Morrison was asked for his impression of the unusual home run sculpture at the new park.

“Interesting,” he said. “That’s probably as PC I can be. It’s definitely Miami. It’s very colorful, very animated. There is no need to hold out your bat and walk down the line anymore. Just run around the bases and let that thing do it for you.”